The Dane County Clerk’s Office is preparing for a massive recount effort after Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein ordered a recount in Wisconsin.
“All of the ballots are being delivered from the counties, and they’re being sorted and locked in a room to get ready for the recount,” said Dane County Clerk Scott McDonell. “We’re getting paid volunteers to help, and getting all of the documents that we need.”
McDonell said there are a number of steps in the recount process. Volunteers will make sure absentee and provisional ballots were received properly, and check poll books to see if the number of people who signed in to vote matches the number of votes recorded.
According to the Wisconsin Elections Commission, the estimated cost for Dane County will be $340,000. Recount volunteers, who will include election officials and former poll workers, will be paid $20 an hour for their efforts.
McDonell says the recount will likely not alter the election result.
“This will not affect outcome of the election, especially with this margin,” McDonell said.
Lilly Price contributed to this report.
